Dna And Rna Cleavers And Chemotherapy Of Cancer And Viral Diseases

The past decade has witnessed a burst of activity and interest in the discovery and design of drugs that cleave DNA and RNA with sequence specificity. This interest stems from the potential of this class of compounds to be useful as therapeutics agents, in particular in the field of the treatment of cancer and viral diseases. Further, a side benefit of such studies is the discovery of novel mechanisms and uses of such agents as tools in the study of structure and function of nucleic acids. Up to now, no international meeting has been organized to recognize the immense progress that has been made in this field. The field of DNA and RNA cleavage by natural and chemical drugs now includes researchers working with rather dissimilar agents but with common underlying mechanisms of DNA damage. Until recently, these scientists were working in separate, apparently unrelated areas, such as the enediyne antibiotics and their synthetic analogues, bleomycin-metal complexes, metal-drug complexes, ribozymes and ribozyme mimics, and antisense and antigene oligonucleotides, etc. It is now clear that these research areas have in common strategies and targets. Researchers representing these areas worked together at this workshop where these common interests were discussed and scientific ideas modified and criticized. Such a workshop should lead to new research approaches and collaborative interactions, and is expected to significantly enhance the progress in the field of DNA and RNA cleavage.

The structure, function and reactions of nucleic acids are central to molecular biology and are crucial for the understanding of complex biological processes involved. Revised and updated Nucleic Acids in Chemistry and Biology 3rd Edition discusses in detail, both the chemistry and biology of nucleic acids and brings RNA into parity with DNA. Written by leading experts, with extensive teaching experience, this new edition provides some updated and expanded coverage of nucleic acid chemistry, reactions and interactions with proteins and drugs. A brief history of the discovery of nucleic acids is followed by a molecularly based introduction to the structure and biological roles of DNA and RNA. Key chapters are devoted to the chemical synthesis of nucleosides and nucleotides, oligonucleotides and their analogues and to analytical techniques applied to nucleic acids. The text is supported by an extensive list of references, making it a definitive reference source. This authoritative book presents topics in an integrated manner and readable style. It is ideal for graduate and undergraduates students of chemistry and biochemistry, as well as new researchers to the field.

Provides a forum for discussion of new discoveries, approaches, and ideas in molecular biology Contributions from leaders in their fields Abundant references

The development of molecules that selectively bind to nucleic acids has provided many details about DNA and RNA recognition. The range of such substances, such as metal complexes, peptides, oligonucleotides and a wide array of synthetic organic compounds, is as manifold as the functions of nucleic acids. Nucleic acid recognition sequences are often found in the major or minor groove of a double strand, while other typical interactions include intercalation between base pairs or the formation of triple or quadruple helices. One example of a binding mode that has recently been proposed is end stacking on such complex structures as the telomere tetraplex. In this comprehensive book, internationally recognized experts describe in detail the important aspects of nucleic acid binding, and in so doing present impressive approaches to drug design. Since typical substances may be created naturally or synthetically, emphasis is placed on natural products, chemical synthesis, the use of combinatorial libraries, and structural characterization. The whole is rounded off by contributions on molecular modeling, as well as investigations into the way in which any given drug interacts with its nucleic acid recognition site.

The advances in drug delivery systems over recent years have resulted in a large number of novel delivery systems with the potential to revolutionize the treatment and prevention of diseases. Bio-Targets and Drug Delivery Approaches is an easy-to-read book for students, researchers and pharmaceutical scientists providing a comprehensive introduction to the principles of advanced drug delivery and targeting their current applications and potential future developments.

Sequence-specific DNA binding ligands, amongst which triple helix forming oligonucleotides are the most efficient as yet, represent promising tools in a number of fields. One of their most promising applications is as antiviral tools: they can specifically target a viral gene, even if it is integrated into the host genome, and be used to specifically inactivate the viral gene or even destroy the cells harboring this gene. However, from science fiction to science there remains a gap; and we are at the moment on the threshold of this fascinating field. Triple Helix Forming Oligonucleotides considers the different aspects of the design and improvement, current or future, of these molecules and their structural analysis, as well as their applications, with special emphasis on the attempts to obtain biological effects of these potentially important tools. What emerges is that the current state of the research is encouraging, and that these molecules are already useful in some biotechnology applications.

Hyper-Structured Molecules are topologically well-defined molecules in two or three dimensions, expected to show novel quantum effects in the molecular sequences. This book covers molecular designs of dendrimers, oligomers, hyperbranched polymers and/or high spin systems, molecular organizations and nanostructures, mesoscopic pattern formation, and

This volume consolidates the key methods for studying ligand-nucleic acid interactions into a convenient source. Techniques that are examined range from biophysical and chemical approaches to methods rooted in molecular and cell biology.